Teeth regulating device having a u-shaped rigid bracket anchored in the posterior portions of a plate

ABSTRACT

A teeth adjusting device comprising a split expanding plate comprised of two plate parts conforming in shape to a set of teeth, the plate parts being joined together at their anterior ends by adjustable means permitting expansion and contraction. The plate parts are slidably supported against torsion or tilting on a rigid U-shaped bracket having its ends pivotally anchored in the posterior ends of the respective plate parts. The anchored ends may be preformed pins inserted in ends of the U-shaped part of the bracket, and the pins may have enlarged ends.

United States Patent Scheu 51 Oct. 24, 1972 [54] TEETH REGULATING DEVICE HAVING A U-SIIAPED RIGID BRACKET ANCHORED IN THE POSTERIOR PORTIONS OF A PLATE [72] Inventor: Rudolf Scheu, 20, Am Burgberg,

Letmathe, Germany 221 Filed: July 22,1969

211 Appl. No.: 846,652

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Dec. 2, 1965 Gennany ..Sch 38 110 [52] US. Cl. ..32/14 E [S 1] Int. Cl ..A6lc 7/00 [58] Field of Search...32/l4, 14 A, 14 B, 14 C, 14 D, 32/14 E [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,419,084 4/1947 Myerson et al.

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,101 1869 Great Britain ..32/14 B 981,973 6/1951 France ..32/14 E 911,534 5/1954 Germany ..32/14 E 641 J39 8/1950 Great Britain ..32/14 E OTHER PUBLICATIONS Tru-Chrome-Brochure published by Rocky Mountain Metal Products Co.

Primary Examiner-F. Barry Shay Attorney-Sheridan, Ross & Field [57] ABSTRACT A teeth adjusting device comprising a split expanding plate comprised of two plate parts conforming in shape to a set of teeth, the plate parts being joined together at their anterior ends by adjustable means permitting expansion and contraction. The plate parts are slidably supported against torsion or tilting on a rigid U-shaped bracket having its ends pivotally anchored in the posterior ends of the respective plate parts. The anchored ends may be preformed pins inserted in ends of the U-shaped part of the bracket, and the pins may have enlarged ends.

18 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures INVENTOR Rudolf SCHEU TEETH REGULA'I'ING DEVICE HAVING A U- SI'IAPED RIGID BRACKET ANCHORED IN THE POSTERIOR PORTIONS OF A PLATE This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 595,940, filed Nov. 2 l, 1966, now abandoned.

This invention relates to a teeth regulating device of the type having a split expanding plate the individual parts of which are transversely or sagittally adjustable relative to each other by means of adjusting screws.

In a known prior art device of this kind, i.e. a socalled fan type expanding screw for application to the upper jaw, two expanding plate parts are asymmetrically adjustable about a common link means located in the posterior region, by means of an expanding screw disposed in the anterior region.

This known device, however, is not suited for application to the lower jaw because the tongue does not permit of the use of rectilinear transverse bracing means for the rear portions of the expanding plate parts. To overcome this disadvantage, it has already been suggested (German Utility Model 1,917,471) to provide the nuts for the expanding screw, which are located in the anterior portions of two expanding plate parts, in the form of sliding rollers guided on a short arched length of rail.

it is the object of the present invention to provide a teeth regulating device of the initially specified type which is simple in design and economical in manufacture and the expanding plate parts of which are reliably supported and secured against tilting or torsion without causing any discomfort or an unnecessary narrowing of the oral cavity.

To attain this object, the invention provides a teeth regulating device which comprises a split expanding plate consisting of at least two expanding plate parts, a nut located in the anterior portion of each of said expanding plate parts, a spindle threadably engaged in said nuts for transversely and sagittally adjusting said expanding plate parts relative to each other, a generally U-shaped bracket forming a sliding support for said expanding plate parts, and retaining means provided at the ends of said bracket and embedded in the posterior portions of said expanding plate parts.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view showing a teeth regulating device according to the invention in its initial position,

FIG. 2 is a similar view showing the device of FIG. 1 with spread expanding plate parts;

FIG. 3 is a section taken on line [ll-Ill of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a modified bracket, and

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal section through the bracket of FIG. 4.

Referring to the drawing, F168. 1 through 3 show a teeth regulating device which comprises a two-part expanding plate the parts 1 and 2 of which are adjustable relative to each other by means of a spindle 5 threadably engaged in two nuts 3 and 4 located in the anterior portions of the plate parts 1 and 2, respectively.

ln order to adapt this device also for application to lower jaw dental arcades a substantially U-shaped bracket 6, 7 is provided having reduced end portions forming pins 8 and 9 which are bent substantially at right angles relative to the bracket 6, 7 and embedded in the posterior portions of the parts 1 and 2, respectively, of the expanding plate. The bracket 6, 7 is located in the spreading plane of the expanding plate parts 1 and 2 and forms a sliding support for these parts 1 and 2 which are thus secured against tilting or torsion. The bracket 6, 7 is of flat configuration which is convex on the lingual side designated by reference numeral 10, whereas on the opposite side it forms a flat sliding surface 11 (FIG. 5) on which the associated expanding plate part bears with a plane flattening 12 provided thereon.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show a modified bracket 6, 7, such modification consisting in that the pins 8 and 9 formed integrally with the end portions of the bracket 6, 7 are replaced by preformed wire pins 14 and 15 inserted in the ends of the bracket 6, 7 and each provided with a ball-shaped end 16 serving as a retention in the expanding plate parts 1 and 2, respectively.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

For example the novel bracket 6, 7 may also be of a design differing from that illustrated in the drawing and be used as well in teeth regulating devices comprising three or more relatively adjustable expanding plate I claim:

1. A teeth regulating device comprising:

a split expanding plate having anterior and posterior ends of a size and shape to fit respectively the anterior and posterior configurations within a human dental arcade, said plate including at least two plate parts each having anterior and posterior portions thereof corresponding respectively to said ends;

expanding means connecting the anterior portions of said plate parts for selectively expanding said plate to permit transverse and sagittal adjustment of said plate parts relative to each other;

additional means connecting said plate parts, said additional means comprising a generally U-shaped bracket having retaining means at the ends thereof embedded in the posterior portions of said plate parts for anchoring said ends in said posterior portions of said plate parts while allowing pivotal movement of said plate parts about said retaining means, but the remainder of said bracket being exterior to said plate parts and relatively slidably held thereagainst by said retaining means so that said U'shaped bracket forms a sliding support for said plate parts including the anterior portions thereof, whereby outward motion of said anterior portions of said plate parts by said adjusting means causes said plate parts to pivot about said retaining means and slide over said U-shaped bracket.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said bracket has a first surface adjacent associated sliding portions of said plate parts and a second surface on the opposite side of said bracket from said first surface; said first surface being a substantially flat sliding surface on which said plate parts slidably bear.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the associated sliding portions of said plate parts are similarly flattened.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the second surfaceof said bracket is convex.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said retaining means are comprised of reduced end portions of said bracket and bent at substantially right angles thereof.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the retaining means are preformed wire pins inserted in the ends of the bracket at right angles thereto, said wire pins being provided with a thickened portion serving as retention means in the posterior portions of the plate parts.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the retention means comprises a ball-shaped head on said wire pins.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the selective expanding means are comprised of a threaded element in the anterior portion of each of said plate parts; and

a spindle threadably engaged in said threaded elements so that selective rotation of said spindle causes selective adjustment of said plate parts relative to each other.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said bracket has a first surface adjacent associated sliding portions of said plate parts and a second surface on the opposite side of said bracket from said first surface; said first sur face being a substantially flat sliding surface on which said plate parts slidably bear.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the associated sliding portions of said plate parts are similarly flattened.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the second surface of bracket is convex.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said retaining means are comprised of reduced end portions of said bracket and bent at substantially right angles thereto.

13. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the retaining means are preformed wire pins inserted in the ends of the bracket at right angles thereto, said wire pins being provided with a thickened portion serving as retention means in the posterior portions of the plate parts.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the retention means comprise a ball-shaped head on said wire pins.

15. A bracket means for providing sliding support for expanding plate parts of a teeth regulating device of the type in which such plate parts have anterior and posterior portions of a size and shape to fit respectively the anterior and posterior configurations within a human dental arcade, and for securing said parts against tilting or torsion, said bracket means comprismg:

a rigid sliding support element having a generally U- shaped configuration; said sliding support element having retaining means at the ends thereof adapted to be embedded in the posterior portions of said plate parts at respective positions corresponding to the positions of molars on opposite sides of a human dental arcade for anchoring said ends in said posterior portions of said plate parts while allowing pivotal movement of said plate parts about said retaining means, the

remainder of sgi d bracket meanscomprisin a slidmg means to mounte exteriorly o sai plate parts for sliding over the portions of said plate parts lying forward of said respective positions when said plate parts are pivoted about said retaining means, the U-shape of said sliding means corresponding to the U-shape of a human dental arcade said sliding means having a flat surface on a sliding support side and having a curved surface on the opposite side.

16. The bracket means of claim 15 wherein said retaining means are comprised of reduced end portions on the U-shaped sliding-support element and bent at substantially right angles thereto.

17. The bracket means of claim 15 wherein the retaining means are preformed wire pins inserted in the ends of the bracket means at right angles thereto, said wire pins being provided with a thickened portion to serve as retention means in the posterior portions of the plate parts.

18. The bracket means of claim 17 wherein the retentionmeans comprises a ball-shaped head on said wire pins.

* l Ii l 

1. A teeth regulating device comprising: a split expanding plate having anterior and posterior ends of a size and shape to fit respectively the anterior and posterior configurations within a human dental arcade, said plate including at least two plate parts each having anterior and posterior portions thereof corresponding respectively to said ends; expanding means connecting the anterior portions of said plate parts for selectively expanding said plate to permit transverse and sagittal adjustment of said plate parts relative to each other; additional means connecting said plate parts, said additional means comprising a generally U-shaped bracket having retaining means at the ends thereof embedded in the posterior portions of said plate parts for anchoring said ends in said posterior portions of said plate parts while allowing pivotal movement of said plate parts about said retaining means, but the remainder of said bracket being exterior to said plate parts and relatively slidably held thereagainst by said retaining means so that said U-shaped bracket forms a sliding support for said plate parts including the anterior portions thereof, whereby outward motion of said anterior portions of said plate parts by said adjusting means causes said plate parts to pivot about said retaining means and slide over said U-shaped bracket.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said bracket has a first surface adjacent associated sliding portions of said plate parts and a second surface on the opposite side of said bracket from said first surface; said first surface being a substantially flat sliding surface on which said plate parts slidably bear.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the associated sliding portions of said plate parts are similarly flattened.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the second surface of said bracket is convex.
 5. The Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said retaining means are comprised of reduced end portions of said bracket and bent at substantially right angles thereof.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the retaining means are preformed wire pins inserted in the ends of the bracket at right angles thereto, said wire pins being provided with a thickened portion serving as retention means in the posterior portions of the plate parts.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the retention means comprises a ball-shaped head on said wire pins.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the selective expanding means are comprised of a threaded element in the anterior portion of each of said plate parts; and a spindle threadably engaged in said threaded elements so that selective rotation of said spindle causes selective adjustment of said plate parts relative to each other.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said bracket has a first surface adjacent associated sliding portions of said plate parts and a second surface on the opposite side of said bracket from said first surface; said first surface being a substantially flat sliding surface on which said plate parts slidably bear.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the associated sliding portions of said plate parts are similarly flattened.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the second surface of bracket is convex.
 12. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said retaining means are comprised of reduced end portions of said bracket and bent at substantially right angles thereto.
 13. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the retaining means are preformed wire pins inserted in the ends of the bracket at right angles thereto, said wire pins being provided with a thickened portion serving as retention means in the posterior portions of the plate parts.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the retention means comprise a ball-shaped head on said wire pins.
 15. A bracket means for providing sliding support for expanding plate parts of a teeth regulating device of the type in which such plate parts have anterior and posterior portions of a size and shape to fit respectively the anterior and posterior configurations within a human dental arcade, and for securing said parts against tilting or torsion, said bracket means comprising: a rigid sliding support element having a generally U-shaped configuration; said sliding support element having retaining means at the ends thereof adapted to be embedded in the posterior portions of said plate parts at respective positions corresponding to the positions of molars on opposite sides of a human dental arcade for anchoring said ends in said posterior portions of said plate parts while allowing pivotal movement of said plate parts about said retaining means, the remainder of said bracket means comprising a sliding means to be mounted exteriorly to said plate parts for sliding over the portions of said plate parts lying forward of said respective positions when said plate parts are pivoted about said retaining means, the U-shape of said sliding means corresponding to the U-shape of a human dental arcade said sliding means having a flat surface on a sliding support side and having a curved surface on the opposite side.
 16. The bracket means of claim 15 wherein said retaining means are comprised of reduced end portions on the U-shaped sliding-support element and bent at substantially right angles thereto.
 17. The bracket means of claim 15 wherein the retaining means are preformed wire pins inserted in the ends of the bracket means at right angles thereto, said wire pins being provided with a thickened portion to serve as retention means in the posterior portions of the plate parts.
 18. The bracket means of claim 17 wherein the retention means comprises a ball-shaped head on said wire pins. 